Bossier DOESN’T have an app for that

Councilman requests City look at developing mobile app

A Bossier City Council member has voiced his opinion that the city should create a mobile app.

South Bossier representative Scott Irwin requested at the council’s agenda meeting Tuesday that the city’s administration research into a cellphone and tablet app.

He said he would like to see something that contains links to the police and fire departments and alerts residents about boil advisories, road closures, and even weather alerts.

“Anything affecting the city,” Irwin said. “People are more and more getting away from website and using their phones.”

He said he sees that app as a way to communicate events going on in the city and the East Bank District.

“It could be a very valuable tool for all citizens and it could become a way to make our East Bank District a success,” he added.

Bossier City Chief Administrative Officer Pam Glorioso told Irwin that their website can serve many of the requests he has.

“Last December, we launched our new city website. On that, it has the capability of people getting notifications on their smart phones if they go and sign up for (notifications) on the website,” she said. “You get notifications for anything of those things you listed.”

Irwin was undeterred. “My suggestion would be to parallel what’s on the website and have an app for your phone. That’s how people do it nowadays,” he said.

Glorioso said that notifications “are key” but the city’s website will conform to whatever device is accessing it.

“It’s a good start. But personally, I’m ready to launch off into something that offers a lot more than that,” Irwin answered.

Councilman Jeff Free backed up Irwin, saying, “You’re not going to get a millennial to go to a website. They’ll see it on their Apple (iPhone).”

Glorioso suggested the council would need to look at budgeting for the development of the app.

Mayor Lo Walker said the staff would look into the app.

“I don’t think we have to reinvent the wheel. I’ve seen other cities have this. I’m not saying get away from the website,” said Irwin.